RAIN and waterlogged pitches played havoc with HPH York Vale Cricket League fixtures on Saturday with only five of the 17 scheduled first round ties in both cup competitions played to a conclusion.

Of the games that were played, second division Hemingbrough came mightily close to pulling off a major shock against first division leaders Clifton Alliance, who needed a last-ball boundary to stay in the HPH Cup.

Hemingbrough’s batsmen started slowly against some immaculate line and length bowling by Matt Mellor, who conceded only six runs off his first seven overs, finishing with 1-17 off his ration of eight. Hemingbrough totalled 121-7 during a rain-interrupted innings, Lewis Clarke picking up 3-33.

With Allan Barton (48) and Ali Wray (53) adding 99 for Alliance’s second wicket, victory seemed assured until both fell to Granville North (4-39). Frazier Heath took 1-3 off four tight overs at the end of the innings. It went to the last over with Clifton needing three to win off the last ball which Clarke despatched to the ropes.

Cup holders Ovington’s opening pair, Tom Cookson (66) and Pete Kelly (39), put on 92 in 10 overs against Burn before Tim Burgess (33) entered the fray. The Burn attack, led by Alex Webster (4-58), hit back and Ovington had to settle for 235-9.

None of Burn’s batsman got in to build a decent score apart from Harry Cruise (57). Neil Metcalfe was the best of Ovington’s bowlers, taking 5-42 as Burn were all out for 174.

Thixendale elected to field first against Thorpe Willoughby on a pitch suited to slow bowling. Guy Scothern (1-13) and Simon Walgate (1-16) arrested the run-scoring and the pressure led to Joe Robinson running out danger man Elliott Precious.

Change bowlers Karl Wallis (2-19) and Ray Walker (4-15) saw Thorpe collapse to 64 all out. Wicketkeeper Nigel French claimed five victims with some fine catches down the leg side and a stumping.

Thorpe’s opening bowlers, Elliott Precious (3-19) and Jordan Leybourn (2-14), had Thix reeling at 25-5. However, the experienced Wallis (13no) and Walker (24no) saw them home.

Melbourne got off to a disastrous start against Ben Johnson with both openers gone in the first two overs without a run on the board. Tim Blackmore was out first ball, suffering the same fate as he had in the league meeting between the sides.

Oliver Steels (25) and Ed Rice (21) knuckled down but Darren Snowden saw off the Melbourne tail with 4-5 as Melbourne were bowled out for 81.

Ben Johnson made heavy weather of chasing down the modest total until Martin Reynolds (22no) and Paul Morrison (24no) put on an unbroken 46 to wrap up victory.

Half-centuries by Alex Brown and Craig Redhead guided Yapham to a nine-wicket victory at Thorpe Willoughby II in the Scothern Construction Cup.

In a train-interrupted innings, Thorpe openers Nigel Huggins and Andy Welford (18) put on 29 before being out in consecutive overs. Lawrence Stones (34) joined Craig Welford (32) to add 30. Stones was out to the penultimate ball, the innings finishing on 142-5. James Harrison finished with figures of 2-44.

Yapham opener Mark Fairey was bowled early on but Brown (66no) and Redhead (68no) finished the game off.

Press Performance of the Week: Thixendale wicketkeeper Nigel French had an excellent day behind the stumps with four catches and a stumping in the Scothern Construction Cup win against Thorpe Willoughby.

HPH Cup, round 2 draw: Stockton & Hopgrove or Ovington II v Thixendale, Clifton Alliance v Ovington, Westow v South Cave & Brantingham, Kelfield or Hirst Courtney v Ben Johnson. Ties to be played June 17/18.